If your family Christmas looks anything like mine, you already know what’s coming. Once everyone leaves Christmas Eve night, the house is absolutely wrecked. We’re talking a dozen adults, fifteen kids, food everywhere, wrapping paper in places it shouldn’t be, and that weird sticky spot on the floor no one will admit to creating. The mess is inevitable, but the misery doesn’t have to be.

Prepping for post-holiday cleanup before the chaos starts is the difference between a manageable reset and feeling overwhelmed for days.

Accept That the Mess Is Coming

First things first: stop pretending it won’t be that bad. When you plan with realism, you clean smarter. Kids will tear through gifts like raccoons. Adults will set drinks down wherever feels convenient. Food will travel far beyond the kitchen. Accepting this upfront helps you set up systems instead of scrambling afterward.

Set Up Trash and Recycling Stations

This is the single biggest game changer. Before guests arrive, place large trash bags or bins in obvious spots: near the tree, in the kitchen, and close to gift-opening areas. If you recycle cardboard and wrapping paper, label a box just for that.

When people don’t have to hunt for a trash can, they actually use it. That alone cuts cleanup time in half.

Simplify Your Table and Serving Setup

Use disposable table covers, napkins, and serving trays where it makes sense. This isn’t the time to bring out heirloom linens or hand-wash-only dishes. Fewer items to clean means less frustration later.

Also, keep a stack of paper towels and wipes within reach. Spills happen fast, and quick cleanups prevent bigger messes later.

Prep a “Morning After” Reset Kit

Before Christmas Eve, gather supplies you’ll want the next day and keep them in one spot. Think trash bags, cleaning wipes, a broom, vacuum, and your favorite all-purpose cleaner. If you burn wax melts or incense, set aside a fresh scent for after cleanup—it helps mentally reset the space.

Waking up knowing everything is ready to go makes the cleanup feel intentional instead of chaotic.

Do a Quick Night Sweep, Not a Deep Clean

Once everyone leaves, don’t try to do everything. Toss obvious trash, collect dishes, and clear walkways. That’s it. The goal is damage control, not perfection. A short sweep keeps the mess from feeling overwhelming in the morning.

Give yourself permission to rest. You’ve earned it.

Tackle Cleanup in Zones the Next Day

Instead of bouncing all over the house, clean one area at a time. Start with the living room and gift debris, then move to the kitchen, then floors. Seeing one space fully reset gives you momentum to keep going.

Put on music, light something cozy, and treat it like a reset ritual instead of punishment.

Plan for Easy Wins

Leave decorations up for a few days. They hide a lot of sins and keep the house feeling festive even if things aren’t perfect yet. The goal isn’t a spotless home—it’s getting your space back without burning yourself out.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

Regifting has a reputation problem. Some people see it as practical and efficient, while others consider it tacky or thoughtless. The truth sits somewhere in the middle. Regifting can be done well, and it can be done very wrong. The difference comes down to intention, awareness, and a little common sense.

I’ll be upfront. I’ve never personally regifted a gift. I’m extremely sentimental, and even the smallest item tends to hold a memory for me. That said, I don’t have an issue with regifting when it’s done thoughtfully. In many cases, it makes far more sense than letting something collect dust in a closet.

The Do’s of Regifting

Do make sure the item is unused and in perfect condition.
If it looks worn, damaged, or incomplete, it’s not a candidate. Regifting should never feel like passing along leftovers.

Do match the gift to the person receiving it.
This matters more than anything else. A gift you couldn’t use might be perfect for someone else. If it suits their taste, lifestyle, or interests, regifting can actually feel intentional.

Do remove all traces of the original giver.
Cards, tags, notes, and even gift wrap should be gone. The recipient should never be able to trace the gift back to someone else.

Do consider timing and context.
Regifting works best when there’s enough distance from the original exchange. Handing someone a regift at the same event or within the same social circle is risky and unnecessary.

Do see regifting as practical, not careless.
When done correctly, regifting reduces waste and gives an item a chance to be appreciated instead of ignored.

The Don’ts of Regifting

Don’t regift something personalized.
Monograms, names, dates, or inside jokes immediately disqualify an item. There’s no salvaging that.

Don’t regift to someone who knows the original giver.
This is how feelings get hurt. Even if you think they won’t notice, it’s not worth the risk.

Don’t regift something you clearly disliked out of spite.
If your only motivation is getting rid of something you hated, it will show. Regifting should feel thoughtful, not dismissive.

Don’t regift sentimental items.
If an item carries emotional weight, even if it wasn’t meaningful to you, it’s better to keep it or donate it quietly.

Don’t lie if you’re directly asked.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation, but if the question comes up, honesty delivered kindly is always better than an awkward lie.

A Thoughtful Takeaway

Regifting isn’t lazy or rude by default. It’s all about execution. While I personally hang onto gifts because of the memories attached to them, I understand why others choose a more practical approach. When regifting is done with care, it can actually be the most considerate option.

At the end of the day, the goal of any gift is for it to be used, enjoyed, and appreciated. If regifting accomplishes that, it’s doing exactly what a gift is meant to do.

The week before Christmas is supposed to feel warm, magical, and full of quiet anticipation. Instead, our house has been taken over by the flu — and it hit hard. Fevers, body aches, headaches, and a cough that refuses to let either of us rest have turned what should be a peaceful holiday stretch into pure survival mode.

The hubby and I have found ourselves in an unspoken competition over who feels worse, who can breathe the loudest, and who has the highest fever. The truth is, we’re both miserable. He’s just slightly worse, which has automatically placed me in the role of full-time nurse, whether I’ve felt up to it or not.

When Love and Sanity Collide

I love my husband deeply, but when two sick people are trapped in the same space, patience wears thin fast. After hours of coughing, shifting, and shared misery, I realized I needed a small break — not from him, but from the noise, the constant hogging of the covers and then kicking them off, and the feeling of being completely overwhelmed.

Stepping away wasn’t about frustration or lack of compassion. It was about preserving my sanity so I could keep showing up with care instead of irritation.

Choosing Christmas Light Therapy

I grabbed my book, moved into another room, and settled in beside the Christmas tree. I didn’t turn on a lamp or put on any background noise. The glow of the lights was enough.

There is something deeply calming about sitting in a room lit only by a Christmas tree. The soft twinkle slows your thoughts. The shadows feel gentler. The entire space seems to breathe differently, and for the first time all day, so did I.

Getting Back to December Reading

I am embarrassingly behind on my December reading. Between the chaos of the season and now being sick, my books have been waiting patiently while life ran me over. Curling up by the tree felt like reclaiming something familiar and grounding.

Reading, even for a short while, reminded me why it matters so much to me. It isn’t about hitting a goal or finishing a chapter count. It’s about escape, comfort, and letting my mind rest when my body refuses to cooperate.

A Quiet Moment in a Loud Season

Christmas doesn’t always look like the pictures we imagine. Sometimes it looks like tissues piled on the nightstand, separate rooms for the sake of sleep, and doing whatever you can to make it through the night with a little peace intact.

That quiet moment by the tree wasn’t dramatic or festive in the traditional sense, but it was exactly what I needed. It was calm. It was still. It was healing in its own small way.

Letting This Be Enough

If you’re struggling this season — sick, exhausted, overwhelmed, or stretched thin — let this be your reminder that small comforts matter. You don’t need a perfect evening or a long list of accomplishments to find peace.

Sometimes all it takes is a book, a blanket, and the soft glow of a Christmas tree to remind you that comfort still exists, even in the middle of chaos.

And tonight, that was more than enough.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

Candy canes are one of those things that show up every December without anyone stopping to ask where they came from. They’re just there — hanging on trees, stuck in mugs, crushed on desserts. But they’ve been around a lot longer than most people think, and the story behind them is simpler (and stranger) than the holiday myths make it sound.

Where Candy Canes Actually Started

Candy canes trace back to Europe, sometime in the 1600s. Back then, they weren’t red and white, and they definitely weren’t peppermint. They were plain white sugar sticks — basically early hard candy.

One of the most common stories ties them to church services, where curved candy sticks were handed out to children to keep them quiet during long ceremonies. The hook shape made them look like shepherd’s crooks, which later helped people connect them to Christmas imagery. Whether that symbolism was intentional or just convenient storytelling came much later.

What matters is this: candy canes weren’t born as a holiday icon. They became one over time.

When Peppermint Entered the Picture

Peppermint didn’t show up until the 1800s. Before that, candy was more about sweetness than flavor. Peppermint changed everything because it was strong, familiar, and easy to recognize.

The red stripes also came later. Early candy canes were solid white. The stripes didn’t become common until candy-making techniques improved and mass production made it easier to add color consistently.

Once that happened, the look stuck.

Related: The Surprisingly Spicy History of Gingerbread

How Candy Canes Became a Christmas Staple

Candy canes didn’t really explode in popularity until the early 1900s, especially in the United States. That’s when they started showing up on Christmas trees, in stockings, and eventually in every store aisle from November to December.

American candy companies played a huge role in this. Automation made candy canes cheaper and faster to produce, and once they were easy to make, they were easy to market. From there, they became part of the season whether people questioned it or not.

Interesting Candy Cane Facts

The classic candy cane shape wasn’t easy to make by hand. For a long time, each one had to be bent individually.

Early candy canes were often softer than the ones we have now. Today’s versions are harder because they’re designed to last longer on shelves.

Peppermint became the default flavor because it masked imperfections in sugar and stayed stable longer than fruit flavors.

Crushed candy canes weren’t originally a topping. That trend came much later, once people started baking and decorating with them instead of just eating them straight.

Why They’ve Stuck Around

Candy canes are cheap, recognizable, and tied to memory. They don’t need updating or reinventing. They’re one of the few holiday items that stayed simple while everything else got louder and more complicated.

That’s probably why they still work.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

A Sweet Little Legend With a Whole Lot of Spice

Gingerbread isn’t just a cute holiday cookie — it’s one of the oldest and most storied treats on the planet. This spicy, cozy classic has been everything from medieval medicine to a royal flex to a symbol of holiday warmth. And honestly? It’s kinda amazing we still bake it the same way hundreds of years later.

Let’s take a ride through its past — no corny stuff, just real history and good vibes.

Where Gingerbread Started (Hint: Not in a Christmas Kitchen)

Gingerbread goes way back — like Ancient Greece and Rome back.
Ginger was prized as a healing spice, so early versions were more like medicinal pastes or preserved ginger mixed with honey. No cute little men yet.

By the Middle Ages, Europeans were adding breadcrumbs, spices, and honey to make early gingerbread cakes. These were used to:

• Settle stomachs
• Freshen breath
• Treat “melancholy” (basically medieval seasonal depression)

So yeah… gingerbread was originally mood medicine. Kinda fitting for winter.

The Queen Who Made Gingerbread Fancy

Enter Queen Elizabeth I, who absolutely loved extra stuff.
She had her bakers shape gingerbread into the likeness of visiting dignitaries — yes, she literally handed out edible portraits to impress people.

This is where gingerbread men were born.
Royal shade, but make it snackable.

Gingerbread at Festivals & Fairs

By the 1500s and 1600s, gingerbread became a festival treat. People bought it at fairs shaped like:

• Hearts
• Flowers
• Animals
• Good luck charms

Some folks even believed gingerbread carried magical properties — wearing it, gifting it, or eating certain shapes to attract love or protection.
Basically the original Pinterest manifestation board.

Germany Takes It to a Whole New Level

Germany said, “That’s cute, but watch this,” and created Lebkuchen, the iconic gingerbread cookies decorated with intricate icing.
Then came gingerbread houses, inspired by — you guessed it — the Hansel & Gretel fairy tale.

These became a holiday staple because:

• They looked festive
• They doubled as décor
• And kids loved them (still do)

The tradition spread everywhere and now even adults find themselves elbows-deep in royal icing like contestants on a baking show.

How Gingerbread Became a Christmas Must-Have

Ginger was warming, rare, and expensive — so gingerbread naturally aligned with winter feasts. Eventually, it got tied tightly to Christmas traditions because:

• It stores well
• It smells like a holiday mood
• And it feels nostalgic even if you didn’t grow up eating it

Some families bake the same recipe every year. Others go full engineering mode with elaborate gingerbread mansions.
Either way — it’s officially part of December’s DNA.

The Sweet Symbolism

Beyond taste, gingerbread carries themes of:

• Warmth
• Home
• Creativity
• Festivity
• Good luck and prosperity

A simple cookie that still somehow manages to feel like love, memory, and holiday magic baked together.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

The Kinds of Christmas Songs That Feel Like Home

Music sets the whole mood for my holidays. I don’t need flashy pop remakes or overplayed radio hits—I’m absolutely not a Mariah Carey or Taylor Swift Christmas girl. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” hits my nerves like a packed Walmart parking lot on Christmas Eve. No offense if it’s your jam, but it sure ain’t mine.

My heart belongs to the real Christmas music—the songs that take me straight back to Concord Baptist Church. I can still see those wooden pews, smell the old hymnals, and feel that nervous excitement of stepping onto the stage for the annual Christmas program. Years later, I watched my own babies standing in that same spot, singing their little hearts out. Those memories helped to build my Christmas soundtrack.

My Favorite Traditional Songs

These are the ones that instantly settle my spirit and remind me why this season matters in the first place. They feel warm, reverent, and full of childhood magic.

• Silent Night
• Away in a Manger
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
• Carol of the Bells
• O Christmas Tree
• The Twelve Days of Christmas
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Hallelujah

When these start playing, everything else slows down. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season, and these songs are a reminder for me.

The Fun & Lighthearted Must-Plays

Even though I’m a sucker for the church classics, I love mixing in the playful ones too—the songs that remind me of childhood Christmas cartoons, wrapping paper everywhere, and my kids dancing around the living room.

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Frosty the Snowman
• Jingle Bells
• Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

They’re simple, cheerful, and they always make me smile.

The Classics I’ll Never Skip

And then there are the legends—the voices that make Christmas feel rich, cozy, and timeless. These songs hit different, and they get played on repeat all December long.

• Elvis – Blue Christmas
• Bing Crosby – White Christmas
• The Temptations – Silent Night
• Alan Jackson – Let It Be Christmas
• George Strait – Christmas Cookies
• Michael Bublé – Holly Jolly Christmas
• José Feliciano – Feliz Navidad

These are the songs that fill my house, my car, and my whole mood during the holidays. Really, I’ll listen to just about anything as long as it’s not Mariah or Taylor, bless their hearts.

Why This Playlist Means So Much

My Christmas playlist isn’t just background noise. It’s memories. It’s tradition. It’s sitting in that old church as a little girl and watching my own kids years later on that same stage. It’s the warmth that comes from songs sung for generations. And it’s the joy that still sneaks up on me each December when the right song hits at the right time.

These are the songs that make the season bright.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

A cozy, old-world tradition with deeper roots than most folks realize.

What Exactly Is the Yule Log?

The Yule log started as a massive piece of wood burned during the winter solstice celebrations across Northern Europe. Long before Christmas décor aisles and festive candles, this was a ritual meant to bring warmth, protection, and good fortune into the home during the darkest days of the year.

Its Pagan Roots: Winter, Fire, and Survival

Long before Christianity, folks celebrated Yule — a midwinter festival marking the return of the sun. Communities would:

• Select the largest, sturdiest log they could find
• Decorate it with greenery, carved symbols, or wine
• Burn it for 12 nights straight as a blessing for the coming year

Fire wasn’t just heat. It symbolized rebirth, protection from evil, and hope when daylight was scarce. The bigger the log, the better the fortune.

How the Yule Log Became a Christmas Tradition

As Christianity spread, old customs blended with new celebrations. The church didn’t cancel the Yule log — they embraced it. The burning log became part of Christmas festivities, especially across France, England, Scandinavia, and Germany.
Families believed the ashes of the log protected their homes and livestock. Some even saved a chunk of the log to light the next year’s fire, keeping the tradition continuous.

When the Fireplace Shrunk, the Yule Log Evolved

By the 19th century, people didn’t have giant hearths anymore. So the Yule log became symbolic instead of literal. That’s when new versions appeared:

• Decorative carved wooden logs
• Logs wrapped in greenery
• The famous bûche de Noël, aka the Yule log cake
• Candles shaped like logs
• Modern wax melt and incense versions (perfect for Mama Crow’s vibe)

The meaning stayed the same: warmth, abundance, protection, and brighter days ahead.

What the Yule Log Represents Today

Even if you’re not burning a whole tree in the living room, the symbolism still hits:

• Welcoming light during dark winter months
• Letting go of the past year’s struggles
• Inviting good fortune and positive energy
• Celebrating togetherness and simple comfort

People use Yule log décor, candles, or melts to set that same cozy, old-world holiday mood.

How to Use the Tradition in Modern Decor

If you’re blending old traditions with southern charm:

• Use a chunky piece of dark wood as a centerpiece
• Add evergreens, dried oranges, and cinnamon sticks
• Place wax melts or incense on or around the log
• Keep the lighting warm, golden, and inviting
• Use it as a reminder to slow down and soak in the season

Final Thoughts

The Yule log isn’t just a cute holiday decoration — it’s a tradition rooted in centuries of warmth, hope, and protection. Whether you burn the real thing or light up a cozy melt from Mama Crow’s, you’re carrying on a ritual that once meant survival, comfort, and the promise of brighter days.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

Image created with Canva AI

Why This Debate Comes Up Every Year

As soon as the holidays roll in, folks start choosing sides. Some love the nostalgia of a real Christmas tree. Others can’t imagine giving up the convenience of a fake one. Most families land somewhere in the middle, which is why this debate never dies.

Why Real Trees Still Win Hearts

A real tree fills a home with a scent you simply can’t fake. That burst of fresh evergreen when you walk into a room instantly sets the mood. The natural shape, the soft needles, and the classic feel all play into the magic.
The formal tree in the living room is the only live one here, always either a Fraser fir or a Noble fir — the bigger the better. The smell, the texture, the whole experience is part of what makes Christmas feel real.

Why Fake Trees Are the Practical Favorite

Fake trees are easy, reliable, and versatile. You can get them pre-lit, slim, flocked, short, tall — whatever suits your space. They don’t shed, don’t need watering, and stay picture-perfect for the entire season.
That’s why they’re perfect for homes with multiple trees. Three of them stay up every year: one in the dining room, one in the master bedroom, and one upstairs. There might even be another added this season.

Finding Your Perfect Fit

The real question is what fits your life and your traditions. If you enjoy picking out a tree every year and love that natural smell, real is the way to go. If convenience and consistency make the season smoother, a fake one might be your match.
Many people mix both — a grand real tree in the main living area and artificial ones throughout the house. It keeps decorating fun without piling on stress.

Final Thoughts

Real or fake, your Christmas tree becomes the backdrop of the season. It’s where the memories happen, where the gifts pile up, and where the glow feels warmest. The best tree is the one that makes your home feel magical.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.